CHAPTER X. 



FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. 



FRUIT. 



THE fruits cultivated in Egypt are varied and plenti- 

 ful : Oranges, Mandarins, Custard Apples, Figs, Grapes, 

 Melons, Apricots, Bananas, Pomegranates, and others 

 give abundance of fruit during their season ; but the 

 style of their cultivation is somewhat primitive, and 

 very little is done to improve their quality or introduce 

 new varieties. At the present time, fruit-growing holds 

 an important place in the industries of the world, and 

 if the matter was taken carefully in hand much might 

 be done to improve the standard of fruit-growing here 

 by grafting strong native stocks with new varieties, 

 systematic pruning and manuring, and also by the intro- 

 duction of many tropical fruits that are comparatively 

 unknown in the country, a list of which will be found 

 at the end of this chapter. 



Soil, and the selection of a suitable site, is of the 

 chief importance, and some shelter, either by a wall 

 or hedge, should be afforded for the protection of 

 early blossoms from the strong sea winds for places 

 on the coast ; and those inland from the cold 

 winds from the desert. 



The alluvial Nile soil is of course preferable to 

 one of a poor sandy nature, but if shelter can be 

 obtained, good results may be expected in the latter 

 if, at the time of planting, the holes are dug and 

 filled with good rich soil, and sufficient room is 

 allowed for each tree to develop ; while exposed 

 places, where little water can be obtained, could be 



